bobby b.

I had not been out since Saturday when fishing was good (SM in 10 fow) but went out this afternoon around Indian Point area for an hour in preparation for the next couple days. I could not locate fish where they were Saturday nor in any of the normal spots for this time of the year.

Obligations throughout the week resulted in having only a couple hours each day to fish caused me to put the boat in my slip on Monday and fish whenever I could each day. Fished nothing but ledge rock banks in feeder creeks which had adjacent trees. Catching was very good. The fish seemed to get bigger but with less quantity as the week progressed, still catching 10 per hour (I guess). 90% LM Until today (Saturday). This morning was all SM. Nothing over 17 inches or 3 lbs. (only weighted a couple to calibrate my eye). The beds I saw where in 8-10 fow. The rock snot was out that far as well. WT never over 60 degrees. I used a 1/8 oz Ned and TRD 99% of the time. At times I would troll down a favorable looking bank staring at FFS and would decide to fish it based on how many fish I noted. It was not as busy as I would have thought this morning, probably the cooler weather. A few pics attached. Bobby

I saw your White Tundra at Big M a while back - I'm assuming the "money pit" is in tow as opposed to the truck.😁 My neighbor just told me that his 3 year old Nitro pedestal mount just broke and that there is no access to the nuts under the deck.

I was there as well from noon to about 4 pm today - fish downstream of the Marina as well - caught 12, mostly shorts, mostly LM - attached pic was about as good (big) as it got. caught in 2 - 12 fow in feeder creeks, all Ned. It seemed like it was picking up a bit as it was time to go home. The last time I went upstream was last Tuesday - fished Flat Creek, water color was good then - I guess that recent rain muddied things up. Bobby

Bill, surely you are not talking me into putting my boat back on the lift in the slip in the lower end and park the trailer after convincing me that the best fishing is up the White (or the James) which I now totally agree on. I did forget one item on my list of repairs and that was trailer tires - my tires quickly started to wear on the outside edge - the service guys told be to keep a minimum of 60 psi in the tires. I've learned allot from this thread. Thanks again for all the responses. Bobby

Thanks for all the feedback - sounds like I may have had a bit more issues than most - a friend that has had several bass boats tells me it is all good now that I have all the bugs worked out, maybe?? Still wondering about the warm wheel bearing hubs - I googled this and got mixed answers, one indicating 90 - 95 degrees - that can't be right - it would not feel hot at all. Another said 160 degrees would be the top end. Plan on getting a infrared thermometer to check this - I think the parking brake is part of the issue here in that the pads may be dragging a bit. Bill, how do you do that? squirt it all over and use a scrub brush, let it dry and vac just like regular carpet cleaner?

Wrench, Thanks for the reply - so more or less this is bass boat ownership? Also regarding the trailer hub, the issue there was the parking brake was always sticking. I have learned to unscrew the adjustment completely after releasing the level. I see that Ranger has gone to hydraulic parking brakes now. Question - After trailering for say one hour at the current outdoor temperature, how hot to the touch should the hub shaft be? - all I have to compare to is my bearing buddy setup on my duck boat trailer. Thanks Bobby

I am curious what your experience is with bass boat mechanical/electrical issues. This is my first bass boat and I am coming up on the end of my 3 year factory warranty. Specifically, I have not had any issue with the Ranger boat itself nor with the Mercury 225 but rather all the mechanical/electrical parts that I am pretty sure are the same parts used by most every boat manufacturer. In June my boat factory warranty will expire and I do have the Mercury Platinum warranty that goes for 4 more years I think plus I purchased an extended warranty to cover everything else, even the trailer. To-date I have had the following issues (again these are the same parts that are used in many boat manufacturers) garmin trolling motor - on my 3rd one - we have addressed this in previous threads, no need to talk about it again. garmin transducer in trolling motor - replaced 2D transducer glued in the hull - replaced Infinity stereo radio (I like music to fish by) - replaced operator, cable and valve for live well - all replaced I think and needs it again now one trailer wheel hub, brake pads were dragging - replaced - Dexter hub, I don't know if other boat manufacturers use this make. Pro-volt battery charger - replaced twice, on the third time I asked and it was replaced with a high end Minn-Kota unit. Springfield butt seat power pedestal - two days ago the level and springs came flying out at me at speed. I am told "welcome to boat ownership". Prior to this bass boat all I every had was a 16 ft big wide flat bottom riveted jon boat that I torture duck hunting (it is over 30 years old) This is not a rant. Still love the bass boat but really? Also I want to say that I get excellent service from the boat dealer. Bobby

True - when the clouds covered the sun it was chilly at 40 mph and I had on a sweatshirt and a gortex wind breaker.

I hit the ramp about noon, the upper two lots were full - had to park in the exit road - should have gone down to the lower ramp I guess. Caught 20 plus, mostly LM, mostly nonkeepers - caught more than half of them on a 100 yard stretch of a feeder creek in 4 - 12 fow. WT 62 degrees. I did not see any beds but I'm lucky to see where I am going - concerned about renewing my drivers license this July. One caught on a jerkbait, all the others on a 1/8 oz Ned Hula stick - the color did not seem to matter. Another nice day on TR. Bobby

In 6 -12 months if the upcoming recession results in major layoffs there may be lots of boats and cars on the market cheap. Leaving now to go fishing, these morning threads have me concerned regarding ramp parking. I do have a new secret place that seems to get little traffic.

DINKs - double income, no kids

Fished upstream of Shell Knob today. Caught north of 20 - all LM or Ky. Is there SM up there? Most caught on 1/8 or 1/16 oz Ned jigs - mostly PB&J Hula Sticks. I started using these last year and never went back to the TRD. Generally caught on the cove/creek side of 45 degree gravel points in 8 - 15 fow. The one pictured below was on the bank in a pocket. WT 64 - 66 degrees. I did not see any beds but the water was a little dingy and my old eyes don't see that well but I really don't think there are many if any. Bobby

Fished upstream of Shell Knob today. Caught north of 20 - all LM or Ky. Is there SM up there? Most caught on 1/8 or 1/16 oz Ned jigs - mostly PB&J Hula Sticks. I started using these last year and never went back to the TRD. Generally caught on the cove/creek side of 45 degree gravel points in 8 - 15 fow. The one pictured below was on the bank in a pocket. WT 64 - 66 degrees. I did not see any beds but the water was a little dingy and my old eyes don't see that well but I really don't think there are many if any. Bobby

Had a good day yesterday (not as good as Bill's) out of Big M but good for sure especially as it was my first time in that area. Found fish in 15 - 30 fow dragging SB or using the Ned on gravel points and some pockets and bluff ends. All LM or Spots, no SM. Caught nothing on the ban k but tried. Bobby

Bill, you are correct about that. When I retired I wanted to never buy another new car. I hate mechanical/electrical things that always break, the bass boat being the worst but that relationship is love/hate. I bought true lifetime warranties from Chrysler for my 2009 Ram and 2011 Jeep. These warranties cover everything except for brake pads, hoses, and belts. The cost was about $2200 for each one, $100 deductible. They have been working perfectly until about two years ago Chrysler cancelled the one on the truck for some unknown requirement to have a 5 year inspection performed. There is a country wide class action lawsuit in this regard and Chrysler will lose as long as it goes to jury verdict but will I live long enough? The Jeep warranty is still working without incident. Whoa - I almost went into a rant. Bobby

Regarding the weather I had been to Eagle Rock on Tuesday and had planned on going back yesterday and for some reason just did not. I heard on the news that SK area got some hail - never been in a boat on the lake in hail - that would really suck. Regarding washer/dyers, we recently bought Speed Queens - 10 year warranty - might take me to end of life or at least to the point where I just don't care if I am wearing dirty clothes - wait - wife says I am already there.

Last week I put in at Aunt Creek. As I motored away from the ramp I noted bait fish and bass suspended over them. I tried lots of things and noting worked. After awhile a couple more boats showed up seeing the same thing tried as well. None of us got bit. One thing I have tried and on occasion has worked which I did that day unsuccessfully is to troll with a 6XD. That day I troll it for probably 2 miles - nada.

Has the James upper end cleared up - particularly Cape Fair marina to Flat Creek? Thanks Bobby

Too late - Biden just sent a million dollar cruise missile to shoot down the balloon, but it may miss.

I've seen dozens of loons in one place together with hundreds of gulls and even lots of cormorants all together having a great time filling up, sometimes in deep water and other times shallow in a pocket.

that kinda looks like the code those guys were using would not hurt to try - I don't think they care about the reel - the one I turned in looked like it was run over by the truck

At the Branson Landing store, there is a code that the sales clerk punches into the handheld devices to get the appropriate discount. Nobody knew how to do it but they finally figured it out. The tub (Bill referred to) is at the fishing counter at the Branson store. I think you could get as many Tatulas as you want for one crappy old reel and $169.99 for each ($209.99 - $40). Also you can buy a reel from the entire catalog and have it shipped free to your house. Since some if these better reels rarely or ever go on sale, this is probably as good as it is going to get, price wise.

Dutch, I note that you go to Cape Fair often - can you please report debris and water conditions. I live at Indian Point area but pull my boat out of the slip and go to Cape this time of year - my first visit was last Wed and conditions were perfect - hoping it is not totally messed up. From the past, the CF courtesy dock is one of the few that gets moved promptly. Thanks Bobby

Thanks Bill for the heads up as I did not get the flyer. I guess I am not in Johnny's good graces anymore since I do not shop there much anymore but I would have thought that the new Ranger boat 3 years ago would have done so for some long time. I went to the Branson Landing store and was able to order a Tatula $40 off. Better yet since my kids give me BP gift cards for presents I got the reel for nothing. One caution - Bass Pro recently started using handheld devices (like cell phones) to place orders. It took 2 boys and a man to place the order. Note not 2 men and a boy as I kidded the young men that I doubt if the old timers could deal with the new ordering technology. They said that was exactly right. Bobby